During the six-day extravaganza (October 24 – 29), the crème de la crème of Irish and international talent will be (figuratively) queuing up to tickle your funnybone.Taking place in various venues around the City of the Tribes, the festival welcomes such comedy heavyweights as Des Bishop (Seapoint, October 24), Tommy Tiernan (Taibhdhearc, 24), Reginald D. Hunter together with Steve Hughes (Seapoint, 27) and An Audience With… Phill Jupitus and Stephen Frost (Massimos, 27). As well as that, Jarlath Regan will host Stand-Up & Answers, a fun event ‘where table quiz and comedy collide’, featuring Abandoman, Chris Kent, John Donnellan and Foil Arms & Hog (Monroe’s, 28). For those who like their comedy where they can see it, Show Me The Funnies, a photography exhibition of stand-up comedians by Gavin Kelly will run in Massimo Bar throughout the event, with free admission. Get in!
However, if you can’t make it out west this bank holiday weekend, fear not – there’s lots more funny stuff happening around Ireland. Gift Grub is at Dublin’s Vicar St. on October 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27, while one-half of D’Unbelievables, Pat Shortt performs at Wexford’s Spiegeltent (24). Brendan Grace heads to Limerick for a show in Lime Tree Theatre (18) before returning to his native Dublin for two more performances at Pavilion Theatre (19, 20). David O’Doherty is out in the ‘burbs for a show in the Naul’s Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre (19) while potty-mouthed UK funnyman Roy Chubby Brown visits the capital for one night only – catch him at the Olympia (19). Finally, heavy-metal-drummer-turned-comedian (yes, you read that right) Steve Hughes embarks on his second Irish and UK tour this fortnight following a successful debut earlier this year. See him at Dublin’s Sugar Club on October 26.